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A new online job service which targets foreign workers will ease the recruitment challenges faced by employers experiencing skills shortages.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) announced the new portal, Skill Select, which will officially be launched on 1 July. A department spokeswoman said the system has been developed because employers said they could not find enough workers for some regional areas. “[Employers] found the process of an overseas recruitment quite onerous and often quite costly as well, so Skill Select is a way of short-cutting that process for them,” she also said.

SkillSelect is indeed a major new piece of infrastructure in terms of how Australia manages its skilled migration program – DIAC expects to significantly reduce the time taken to process a visa application.

The online resource will also help address regional skill shortages, by allowing potential migrants to indicate they are willing to live and work in regional Australia. “This will be of particular benefit to employers experiencing regional skill shortages and state and territory governments attempting to settle migrants in regional Australia,” DIAC said.

DIAC provided the following Q&A which may be useful for employers looking to use the service:

What do I need to search SkillSelect?

Employers can search SkillSelect using a range of criteria such as the skilled worker’s occupation, qualifications or English language ability. Employers will be able to view details of skilled workers and then make contact with them to discuss sponsorship and employment.

Employers will need an ‘AUSKey’ to use SkillSelect, which can be applied for via the website.

What happens after I identify a potential skilled worker?

If you find a potential skilled worker you can contact them within SkillSelect. You can submit a contact request in SkillSelect to the skilled worker with your contact details. The skilled worker can then contact you to discuss employment opportunities.

Following contact with the skilled worker, you may decide to sponsor and employ them.

Do I have to use SkillSelect to sponsor a skilled worker?

No. Employers who identify people through their own selection processes will still be able to sponsor them without the skilled worker submitting an EOI in SkillSelect.

What are the advantages of using SkillSelect?

Employers will benefit from using SkillSelect as it will enable them to quickly and easily identify potential skilled workers with the essential skills and attributes needed. This will reduce overseas advertising and recruitment costs to businesses, and assist in resolving skills shortages.

Another benefit of SkillSelect is the ability to address regional skill shortages. SkillSelect allows skilled workers to indicate whether they are willing to live and work in regional Australia. Employers can search SkillSelect and find skilled workers who have indicated a willingness to work in specific regional areas.

The website will be operational from next month, and there are also changes on the way which will make the process of gaining residency much simpler for short-term visa holders. Employees applying for work visas in regional areas of Australia will have their visas made a priority. Check the DIAC website for further details.